by Hunter Dawkins, Owner/Publisher – editor@thegazebogazette.com or hdawkins@supertalk.fm
GULFPORT (GG) — On Monday afternoon, August 18, 2025, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office made arrests related to the seizures of large quantities of cocaine. On Thursday, August 14, 2025, Hector Rodriguez-Valdez, Bryan Rodriguez-Valdez, and Raul Quijas-Aguero; all from Mexico, were arrested for federal drug trafficking charges. Finally, Friday, August 15, 2025, Christopher Gill was arrested for felony drug trafficking charges in an unrelated incident.
On Thursday, August 14 at approximately 10:12am, a deputy from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Interdiction Division conducted a traffic stop on a black Chevrolet Van for a traffic violation off Interstate 10 East in Gulfport, Mississippi. The county officer contacted the driver, identified as Hector Rodriguez-Valdez, and developed suspicions of possible drug trafficking.
A narcotic detecting canine responded and alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed an improvised compartment built within lumber inside the van that contained (118) pounds of cocaine.
The Department of Homeland Security Investigations was notified of the incident. Hector Rodriguez-Valdez, and two passengers, Bryan Rodriguez-Valdez, and Raul Quijas-Aguero, were arrested and charged with federal drug trafficking charges.
All suspects were transported and booked into the Harrison County Adult Detention Center in held without bond pending federal judicial proceedings. The United States Border Patrol also placed federal immigration holds on the aforementioned subjects.
Additionally, on an unrelated incident on Friday, August 15, 2025, Harrison County’s Criminal Interdiction Patrol Division made a separate traffic stop off Interstate 10 East in Gulfport.
Deputies made contact with Christopher Gill of Florida, a subsequent search of his luggage revealed 4.4 pounds of cocaine. Gill was arrested on Trafficking charges. Judge Fountain issued a $250,000 bond. The DEA was notified of the incident.
